Interactive bed sheet apparatus and a method for its use

ABSTRACT

An interactive bed sheet apparatus which can educate and entertain a child, in addition to encouraging the child to go to bed at bedtime and keep his or her bed made. The interactive bed sheet apparatus can comprise any number of fasteners, such as buttons, snaps, zippers, Velcro, etc., which can then be used to attach a removably attachable piece which also comprises such fasteners. These removably attachable pieces can be shaped like characters, such as princes, knights, or princesses, or animals, such as tigers, sharks, or dragons, or other items, such as treasure chests, motorcycles, or race cars. The bed sheet apparatus can have any number of background scenes printed on it as well. By using these background scenes, the removably attachable pieces, and the fasteners, a child can create any number of imaginary scenarios on the surface of his or her bed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/942,667 filed Jun. 8, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein, by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present device is an interactive bed sheet apparatus designed to teach children how to use several different types of fastening devices while entertaining them and encouraging them to make their beds.

BACKGROUND

It has become commonplace for nearly all children's activities to be made as interactive as possible in order to hold a child's interest while both entertaining the child and encouraging cognitive development. This fact can be seen in activities such as riding in a car where toys and other products have been developed to engage and entertain the child during the ride. For example, the introduction of DVD players in cars has been used to reduce restlessness among children by entertaining them with something to watch, while at the same time allowing the parent to concentrate on driving.

One daily activity, which has led to constant struggle and great unhappiness on the part of parents and children alike, is bedtime. Parents generally look forward to it so they can enjoy a restful period before their own bedtime and children try desperately to avoid it because they fear missing out on some perceived fun or excitement. A solution to this problem would be to make the child's bed more interesting and inviting, such that the child would actually enjoy being in bed. What is needed is an interactive device that can easily be incorporated into any child's bedding, and which has the ability to engage, entertain, and educate the child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present device to provide an interactive bed sheet apparatus. The above aspect can be obtained by a bed sheet including a first fastening mechanism and a removably attachable ornament comprising a second fastening mechanism, the second fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism.

These together with other aspects and advantages, which will subsequently become apparent, and reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present device, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present device, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an interactive bed sheet apparatus comprising various fastening devices disposed across its surface;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interactive bed sheet apparatus comprising various fastening devices and an ocean scene depicted on its surface;

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a removably attachable piece in the shape of a shark, comprising fastening devices for removably attaching the removably attachable piece to an interactive bed sheet apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a removably attachable piece in the shape of a shark, comprising fastening devices for removably attaching the removably attachable piece to an interactive bed sheet apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an interactive bed sheet apparatus comprising various fastening devices, an ocean scene depicted on the surface of the bed sheet apparatus, and two removably attachable pieces connected to the surface of an interactive bed sheet apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an interactive bed sheet apparatus comprising various fastening devices, a terrestrial scene depicted on the surface of the bed sheet apparatus, and a removably attachable piece connected to the interactive bed sheet apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

It is an aspect of the present device to provide a way to teach children how to use many types of fastening devices. It is also an aspect of the present device to provide entertainment, in the form of interactive play, and to encourage children to go to bed at bedtime and to make their beds.

The present device is an interactive bed sheet apparatus comprising one or more types of fastening devices, such as buttons, zippers, hook and loop connectors, shoestring-like ties, snaps and any other similar attachment device known in the relevant art. The interactive bed sheet apparatus can also comprise one or more removably attachable pieces that further comprise one or more opposing fastening devices to those attached to the sheet. For example, the bed sheet apparatus can comprise a button as one part of a fastening device while a removably attachable piece can comprise a button hole. Alternatively, a removably attachable piece can comprise a button which can attach onto a hole in the bed sheet apparatus. These opposing fastening devices can be used to connect the removably attachable piece to the interactive bed sheet apparatus.

These removably attachable pieces can include shapes in the form of animals, knights, princesses, cars, mermaids, trees, treasure chests, or any other figure that a child may find interesting. These removably attachable pieces can be made from fabric, plastic, or any other suitable material known in the relevant art. Each removably attachable piece can then be attached to the bed sheet apparatus in a number of different locations and positions depending on the type of fastening devices comprising both the bed sheet apparatus and the removably attachable piece. The bed sheet apparatus can also comprise a scene, such as a forest, mountainside, jungle, castle, etc., printed on one or both of its sides. The removably attachable pieces and the scenes depicted on one or more sides of the bed sheet apparatus can be combined to construct any number of unique scenes creating a picture on the surface of the child's bed.

The cognitive benefits of the present device can include interactive play, wherein a child (or adult or any human) can create any number of scenes from their imaginations using the removably attachable pieces and the scenes depicted on the bed sheet apparatus. Additionally, the present device can teach the use of various fastening devices, which are commonly found on clothing. The knowledge of how to fasten and unfasten various fastening devices can help a child learn how to dress himself or herself, or conduct any other activity where these common fasteners are used. Also, the present device works best when the bed sheet apparatus is spread out flat across the bed. In this way, use of the present device can encourage a child to keep his or her bed made.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an interactive bed sheet apparatus 100 comprising various fastening devices disposed across its surface. The fastening devices can include one part of a zipper 101, a button 102, tie-strings 103, one part (either a male or female)of a snap 104, a loop 105 for use with a hook (not pictured), VELCRO (not pictured) or any other suitable fastening device known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Any combination of any number of fastening devices can be attached or integral to the bed sheet apparatus 100.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interactive bed sheet apparatus 200 comprising various fastening devices comprising a zipper 201, a button 202, tie-strings 203, part of a snap 204 and another tie-string 205 and an ocean scene depicted on a surface of the bed sheet apparatus 200. The ocean scene includes a sea bed containing coral, sea plants and sea life. This ocean scene is only offered as an example. The scenes can include forest themes, cityscapes, mountain themes, or any number of other scenes, which can stimulate the imagination of a child.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a removably attachable piece 300 (a removably attachable piece is also referred to herein as an ornament) in the shape of a shark, comprising fastening devices 301 and 302 for removably attaching the removably attachable piece 300 to an interactive bed sheet apparatus (not pictured). The removably attachable piece 300 in this figure is a shark further comprising a button hole 301 and two slits 302 for receiving a tie-string (not pictured). The removably attachable piece 300 can be made of any type of fabric, plastic, or other suitable material known in the art.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a removably attachable piece 400 in the shape of a shark, comprising fastening devices 401, 402, 403, 404, and 405 for removably attaching the removably attachable piece 400 to an interactive bed sheet apparatus sheet (not pictured). The attachment parts depicted in this figure include one part of a zipper 401, a button hole 402, slits 403 for attaching a tie-string (not pictured), one part of a snap 404, and a hook 405, for use with a loop (not pictured). Removably attachable piece 400 can be a different piece than removably attachable piece 300 or it can be the same piece (although then FIG. 4 is actually a mirror image view of the rear side). Any removably attachable piece can have any combination of any number of fastening mechanisms attached (or integral to) the removably attachable piece.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an interactive bed sheet apparatus 500 comprising various fastening devices, an ocean scene depicted on the surface of the bed sheet apparatus, and two removably attachable pieces 501 and 503 connected to the surface of an interactive bed sheet apparatus 500. In this figure one removably attachable piece 501 is shaped like a shark, which is attached using a button 502 buttoned to a hole in an interactive bed sheet apparatus 500. The second removably attachable piece 503 is shaped like a sea turtle, and is connected to the interactive bed sheet apparatus 500 using a tie-string 504, the tie-string 504 being attached to the interactive bed sheet apparatus 500 and tied through a hole in the removably attachable piece 503.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an interactive bed sheet apparatus 600 comprising various fastening devices, a terrestrial scene depicted on the surface of the bed sheet apparatus 600, and a removably attachable piece 601 in the shape of a sea turtle, connected to the interactive bed sheet apparatus 600 with a tie-string 602. While the use of removably attachable pieces have been appropriate for the scenes depicted, i.e., a shark in an ocean scene, the child's imagination can be free to make scenes, which can not occur in reality. For example, the child can create an underwater scene, wherein a knight jousts with a shark. It should also be noted that these features do not hinder the traditional function of the bed sheet, duvet cover, blanket, etc. that the bed sheet apparatus is intended to replace.

Further, different ornaments can have different appearances and different configurations of fastening types attach to them. For example, a turtle ornament can have a snap and a zipper, a penguin ornament can have a button hole and a button, a clown ornament can have a zipper, a button hole, a snap, and VELCRO, etc. There is no limit to the number or ornaments and the types of fastening mechanisms each ornament has. The term bed sheet also encompasses related structures such as a quilt, comforter, duvet cover, etc.

Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention. 

1. A bed sheet apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bed sheet comprising a first fastening mechanism; and a removably attachable ornament comprising a second fastening mechanism, the second fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism.
 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism are cooperating zippers.
 3. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism are cooperating snaps.
 4. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening mechanism is a button and the second fastening mechanism is a hole.
 5. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening mechanism is a hole and the second fastening mechanism is a button.
 6. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening mechanism is a pair of holes and the second fastening mechanism is a tie-string.
 7. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening mechanism is a tie-string and the second fastening mechanism is a pair of holes.
 8. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening mechanism is a hook and the second fastening mechanism is a loop.
 8. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism are cooperating VELCRO.
 9. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the ornament is a toy character.
 10. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the bed sheet apparatus is a duvet cover.
 11. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the bed sheet apparatus is a blanket.
 13. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the bed sheet apparatus is a sheet.
 14. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the bed sheet apparatus is a comforter.
 15. A bed sheet apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bed sheet comprising a first fastening mechanism and a second fastening mechanism, the second fastening mechanism being of a different type of fastener than the first fastening mechanism; and a first ornament comprising a third fastening mechanism and a fourth fastening mechanism, the third fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism, and the fourth fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the second fastening mechanism, the third fastening mechanism not being able to removably attach to the second fastening mechanism and the fourth fastening mechanism not being able to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism.
 16. The bed sheet apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a fifth fastening mechanism attached to the bed sheet; a second ornament of a different appearance than the first ornament, the second ornament comprising a sixth fastening mechanism, the sixth fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the fifth fastening mechanism but not able to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism and not able to removably attach to the second fastening mechanism.
 17. The bed sheet apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a second ornament of a different appearance than the first ornament, the second ornament comprising a sixth fastening mechanism, the sixth fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism but not able to removably attach to the second fastening mechanism.
 18. A bed sheet apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bed sheet comprising a first fastening mechanism and a second fastening mechanism, the second fastening mechanism being of a different type of fastener than the first fastening mechanism; and a first ornament comprising a third fastening mechanism, the third fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism but not being able to removably attach to the second fastening mechanism; a second ornament of a different visual appearance than the first ornament, the second ornament comprising a fourth fastening mechanism, the fourth fastening mechanism being of a different type of fastener than the third fastening mechanism, the fourth fastening mechanism being adapted to removably attach to the second fastening mechanism but not being able to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism.
 19. A method for entertaining, the method comprising: providing a bed sheet, the bed sheet depicting a first scene on a surface of the bed sheet, the bed sheet comprising a first fastening mechanism and a second fastening mechanism, the first fastening mechanism being of a different type of fastener than the second fastening mechanism; providing a first ornament comprising a third fastening mechanism and a fourth fastening mechanism, the third fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism, and the fourth fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the second fastening mechanism, the third fastening mechanism not being able to removably attach to the second fastening mechanism and the fourth fastening mechanism not being able to removably attach to the first fastening mechanism; allowing a human to make a choice to connect the first ornament to either the first fastening mechanism using the third fastening mechanism or the second fastening mechanism using the fourth fastening mechanism; and connecting the first ornament, by the human, to the bed sheet based on the human's choice, to form a second scene on the bed sheet.
 20. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising: providing a fifth fastening mechanism attached to the bed sheet; providing a second ornament comprising a sixth fastening mechanism, the sixth fastening mechanism adapted to removably attach to the fifth fastening mechanism but not the first fastening mechanism; forming a third scene on the bed sheet, by the human, by attaching the sixth fastening mechanism to the fifth fastening mechanism. 